It... actually improves?

Despite Hilda's **** last-ditch efforts, the book gets published and continues to sell amazingly well.

Some seek it out because it claims to be a true story. Some want to know about the failings of the people swirling around in high society. Others go for it because of how dirty they hear the love scenes are. Some even seek it out because they've heard the love story in it is surprisingly sweet.

Regardless of their claimed reason, everyone reads it, and most end up believing every word of the filthy, naughty, nasty tale.

Hilda tries to go into hiding at first. She even contemplates changing her name and fleeing the country, but Sally talks her out of it when she points out Hilda would never get a chance to see the baron of her naughty romance book in the flesh again.

And during that agonizing wait, an odd thing happens.

Admittedly, some people do end up viewing Hilda's actions as shameful or slutty, but the vast majority see it differently. They see a brave and noble soul, a genuine knight who was willing to debase herself and put the safety of others ahead of her own well being.

Hilda gradually comes to be viewed as a noble heroine in the truest sense of the word. Especially when bards begin to retell the tale and put on shows for the illiterate peasants and serfs.

As the days go by and turn into weeks and then months, Hilda sees her popularity grow along with her finances. People start to recognize her on the street and tell her how brave she is, or at the very least they give her a hug and slip her a few coins and tell her how strong she is to have endured so much.

Queen Belinda even holds a reception in her honor, where she hugs Hilda and tells her she's the best (and then in secret adds that her husband has been having them roleplay out his favorite scenes with her, ensuring she's had the most lovin' she's gotten in months!).